Cleaning probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of potential uses of an air compressor, but believe it or not, it can be one of the best and most useful ways to make use of your air compressor.
Air compressors can be used for everything from small, precise cleaning (such as cleaning the inside of computers) or for larger, broader cleaning jobs (like blowing dirt off of a car). However, not every kind of air compressor is good for cleaning. In this article, you will learn about what air compressors are best for blow cleaning jobs.
Recommended Air Compressors
The first thing that I want to do is give you some recommended air compressors. These are air compressors that either myself or people I trust use and would gladly recommend for this specific job.
#1. DEWALT DWFP55126 Compressor for Blow Cleaning
The Dewalt DWFP55126 is a 6-gallon portable air compressor with a pancake tank. This unit is to easy to carry around and works well for nail guns, impact wrenches, and blow cleaning.
DEWALT DWFP55126 – Click Here to See Price
Now, I’m not saying that this is the only good option out there, however, if I had to recommend just one air compressor for cleaning then I would recommend the DEWALT Air Compressor for a few reasons.
First off, I place a high value on the brand. I like to get my tools from reliable brands that I can trust to deliver consistently high-quality performance. So, I like that this is from DEWALT, which is a brand that can be trusted.
Secondly, the DEWALT Air Compressor has just the right amount of CFM for cleaning and other light-duty applications such as nailing.
With an output of 2.6 CFM, the DEWALT has just enough power to make it an effective cleaning implement, while not having so much power that it becomes dangerous to use around sensitive components.
I personally enjoy using the DEWALT for cleaning things like my car. I find it to be really helpful when it comes to getting rid of hard to reach clumps of dirt and dust. Additionally, the shape of the tank and the capacity of the tank works well because I find it easy to move the tank around since it is relatively lightweight.
#2. Craftsman Air Compressor
Although Craftsman isn’t exactly the most well-known brand around (it certainly isn’t on the level of Bosch or DeWalt), however I know several people who use the Craftsman Air Compressor and swear by it.
Craftsman Compressor with Blow Gun Accessory Kit – See Price
It has a lot of the same benefits as the DeWalt. For example, people who have used it say that they find that the Craftsman has just the right amount of power.
It is powerful enough to reliably clean out dirt and dust, while not being so powerful that it will actively damage things. Likewise, because this is a pancake style air compressor, it is also relatively thin and lightweight. So, I don’t need anyone to tell me that this air compressor is easy to move around.
#3. California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Compressor
Another air compressor that I would recommend if you are in the market for something that can be used for cleaning is the California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S. It has a 1-gallon tank and can output about 1.2 CFM at 90 PSI. This is a sufficient range of CFM that will allow the compressor to tackle a wide array of cleaning jobs.
California Air CAT-1P1060S – See Price Here..
This one isn’t quite as powerful as the DeWalt, but it does have a bunch of other advantages that I really love.
Firstly, the California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S is compact and weighs just 29.5 lbs.
Something that I particularly like about it is the noise or the lack of it. I find that some air compressors can be overly loud, which makes them difficult to work with. That is definitely not the case with the California Air Tools CAT-1P1060S Air Compressor. With noise levels under 56 dB, it is one of the quietest air compressors I have ever used. I think that, like me, you will be impressed at just how quiet it is.
The main cylinder is made out of steel and it has an oil-free pump that will save your maintenance cost.
This is one of the best air compressors for cleaning PC, car, home, and your garage.
Buying Guide
Next up, I want to talk about some of the factors that go into determining whether a specific air compressor is good for the job of cleaning or not. Obviously, a lot of this is going to come down to personal preference, but I still think it will be valuable to those of you who don’t have experience using an air compressor for cleaning.
CFM
CFM, which stands for cubic feet per meter, is a good indicator of how much pressure your air compressor blows out. In other words, it is one of the key factors that go into determining the overall “power” of your air compressor. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should just jump straight to looking for the air compressor with the highest CFM.
Quite the opposite, in fact. You should do your best to look for an air compressor in the roughly 2 to 3 CFM range. Why? Well, as I said earlier in the article, cleaning with an air compressor is a delicate job. On the one hand, if you don’t have enough power, you aren’t actually going to get a lot of cleaning done. On the other hand, too much power can lead to you damaging things.
I find that the 2-3 CFM range gives an air compressor a lot of versatility with regards to what it can clean. With this range, you can use your air compressor for cleaning everything from sensitive electronics and fixtures to hardier things like cleaning cars and floors.
Tank Size and Capacity
Usually, I recommend going for a high-capacity air compressor because who wants to have to stop a job in the middle of it because your tank ran out? No one does, it’s annoying and a major inconvenience. This is especially true if you are looking for an air compressor for painting or sandblasting. However, cleaning doesn’t need a lot of air and is one of the jobs where I actually think a lower capacity tank can be useful, and this is for a few reasons.
Firstly, air compressors with smaller tanks are cheaper. You don’t want to be spending big bucks on your air compressor if you only plan on cleaning with it. Secondly, you will likely want to move around a lot while cleaning. This isn’t really possible if you have a big, bulky tank on your air compressor.
Safety Tips
Please, if you have never used an air compressor for cleaning before, remember that, in addition to basic safety procedures that you always follow when using these tools, to be extra careful when it comes to your eyes. Air compressors shoot up a lot of debris when cleaning and the chances of getting something in your eyes is really increased.
Conclusion
Like I said at the beginning of the article, cleaning isn’t the first thing that pops into your mind when it comes to air compressors, but they can make cleaning easier if you use the right air compressor.
Dan Miller is a professional toolmaker with extensive experience in the metalworking and tooling industry.
An avid DIY enthusiast and passionate hobbyist woodworker, Dan shares his expert knowledge here.